Marriage Counseling
My Family Counselor is passionate about helping couples find the support they need to positively transform their relationship. We are dedicated to integrating sound biblical principles and the most recent and relevant, evidence-based practices.
Whether you and your spouse are experiencing a crisis (which is often the case) or you need help fine tuning things, we are here to help. Marriage Counseling is a proactive way for couples to target the specific areas that need extra attention. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and a personalized treatment plan, hope and change are possible!
Marriage Counseling
Joseph Barth said “Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up.” Anyone who has been married for awhile will tell you that this is far from easy. Why? Because we are usually looking at two people whose personalities, temperaments, dreams, and upbringings are often quite different.
On a deeper level, while we all crave intimacy and connection, most of us are afraid to show another person who we really are. Believe me, though – in marriage, you can only hide for so long.
To be known and not loved is our greatest fear.
But to be fully known and truly loved is,
well, a lot like being loved by God.
It is what we need more than anything.
It liberates us from pretense,
humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and
fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.”
Timothy Keller
Melanie’s Experience
Melanie firmly believes that building a God-honoring marriage is the first step in creating a godly family home. Her parents were married for 67 years and she and her hubby, Mike for 39 (in 2023.)
All couples have their share of ups and downs. Over time, learning to respect and see differences as beneficial to both parties is both a beautiful and humbling experience.
Melanie’s Areas of Specialization:
- Financial concerns
- Ups and downs of new marriage
- Intimacy issues
- Communication issues
- Conflict resolution
- Expressing love in ways your partner can receive
My Family Counselor:
Offering heart-centered, biblical, evidence-based treatment.
Transformation is our privilege and our passion.
Reach out today for a complimentary insight call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Counseling:
How do we know if marriage counseling is right for us?
It is not unusual for couples to wonder whether counseling is worthy of their valuable time and resources. Making the relationship a priority through Christian counseling is a good first step. While there is no “magic bullet”, when a couple is dedicated to the highest good for themselves and their spouse, it is astounding to see how God can work in their lives.
How can we prepare for marriage counseling?
Prior to beginning marriage counseling, a couple, at a minimum, should consider the following questions:
- What makes you feel most connected in your relationship?
- What concerns do you have about your marriage?
- How could you better support your spouse?
At My Family Counselor, we also encourage each individual to:
- Pray for upcoming sessions
- Prepare to to listen well (seek first to understand)
- Prepare to work on responding (rather than reacting) during difficult conversations
- Consider your individual strengths and weaknesses and impact on relationship(s)
- Consider past relationships (wounds) and their effect on your core beliefs about self, God, and others
- Consider your health/integrity in the following areas – financial, emotional, physical and spiritual
How can each person prepare themself for counseling?
I recommend that the couple each answer this question on their own. My advice is to avoid generalities and be as specific as possible. During a session, each person can then share their thoughts as well as assess various aspects of the relationship. This has proven to be an extremely helpful and eye-opening experience. It also helps your counselor work with you and your spouse in setting specific goals and realistic expectations moving forward.
Here's what one couple experienced
“We were at a difficult place in our marriage. We weren’t sure where to begin the healing process. From the first day we met Melanie, she made us feel safe, heard, and loved. She is incredibly gifted…being able to both deeply listen and share godly insight/wisdom. Each time we met, we felt encouraged and challenged. We felt like we could take the next step toward healing with the tools and encouragement she was giving us. We would highly recommend her to any individuals or couples that are desiring healing.”
– R&R, Married 15 years